C41 replenishment

[SteD]

Hi all,

With regards to c41 developers, is it ok to replenish with a different brand to the working solution?
Basically I have a litre of Fujihunt dev, part used and I’d like to start a replenishment system to save dumping it. I also have loads of Tetenal sp45 rep. Can I just use that?

 

[foc]

I have never used a C41 home kit but I am sure the developer is the same as commercial C41. So I can see no reason not to but as always someone may know different.
I know Fuji used to say to me that we could only use Fuji chemistry in our Fuji minilab equipment. Of course never say DON'T to me as I will then go and try it and you know what, the Champion and Tetenal chemistry worked perfectly, no problem with rep rates or incorrect mixing.
I think it's a bit like petrol (gas) for your car.

 

[koraks]

It will probably work (although not necessarily entirely to spec), but it's one of those things you can't be 100% certain about. I'd give it a try with some test strips.

 

[halfaman]

Tetenal SP45 is low replenishment-low utilization developer (low oxidation in tank and in use) that you mix with another that probably it isn't. It will work for sure but you are going to loose some key properties of Tetenal. The thing now is which replenishment rate you are going to use...

 

[MattKing]

Back in the day when there were multiple companies competing for the mini-lab business, manufacturers designed their products to be functionally suitable as exact replacements for the products of the main suppliers.
Nowadays, with much of the supply available to us being small kits designed for extremely low volumes, substitution isn't the goal, so it isn't likely that you can do this reliably.

 

[SteD]

Ok I think I’ll just buy the starter for the sp 45 and start from scratch, then replenish accordingly.
Anyone know the shelf life of starter? May take me some time to get through.

 

[koraks]

AFAIK starter generally keeps indefinitely.

 

[foc]

Back in the day when there were multiple companies competing for the mini-lab business, manufacturers designed their products to be functionally suitable as exact replacements for the products of the main suppliers.
Nowadays, with much of the supply available to us being small kits designed for extremely low volumes, substitution isn't the goal, so it isn't likely that you can do this reliably.

That is a very good point, Matt.